|
 Ladies and Gentlemen,
The LNOBT is proud to be presenting its very special new season. There are still two weeks left until our performances start, but we are already experiencing a great deal of your attention – 22 000 tickets are already sold! We also remind you, that the Subscription package is still available until 20 September.
Due to alterations in the schedules of our creative teams, we sadly had to make some changes to the LNOBT’s repertoire. However, our main priority is you, dear appreciators of opera and ballet – without you all of our activities would be worthless. Since we cannot invite you to the premiere of G. Verdi’s “Otello” in November – the premiere shall be presented in March – we will try our best to solve any difficulties you might experience because of the changes.
The following performances have been cancelled:
“Otello” on 12, 13 November, 29 December 2010, and 26 February 2011.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” on 6 February 2011.
“Swan Lake” on 8 March 2011.
“Rigoletto” on 9 March 2011.
New performances included in the repertoire:
7 November, Sunday, 12 p.m. – premiere of “Cipollino”, a ballet for children;
10 November, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. – “Zorba the Greek”, a ballet;
11 November, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – “La Juive”, an opera;
12 November, Friday, 6:30 p.m. – “La Traviata”, an opera;
13 November, Saturday, premiere of “Cipollino”, a ballet for children;
6 February, Sunday, premiere of “Cipollino”, a ballet for children;
26 February, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. – “Rigoletto”, an opera;
18 March, Friday, 6:30 p.m. – premiere of “Otello”, an opera;
19 March, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. – premiere of “Otello”, an opera;
20 March, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. – premiere of “Otello”, an opera.
In case you have purchased tickets to the cancelled performances, we kindly invite you to return them to our Box Office and purchase new tickets. In case the performance changes but the date remains the same (i.e. “Cipollino” instead of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”), the tickets you’ve purchased shall be valid.
We are very sorry for the inconvenience and we also hope that good experiences at the theatre shall lessen all bad emotions arising from current situation.
More information at www.opera.lt, by phone: (+370) 262 07 27, (+370) 615 51000, (+370) 612 46614. Our Box Office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Another season has passed in the blink of an eye... Being together with you brought us all a great deal of happiness and we are ready to bring you even more enchanting theatrical experiences during the next season! You can already look through our brand new repertoire and choose performances that you’d like to see - LNOBT’s new and very special 2010-2011 Season begins on 17 September with the sparkling and mesmerizing production of W. A. Mozart’s masterpiece “Le nozze di Figaro”. Our subscription offer is available until 20th of September and LNOBT’s Box Office shall be open all summer long!
See you at the LNOBT!
New Exclusive Season at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre:
90th Anniversary of the Lithuanian Opera
85th Anniversary of the Lithuanian Ballet
As summer is gaining momentum, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is kindly inviting you to the performance of the 2010-2011 Season - you can already book or buy tickets to all performances of the new season! Keeping in mind that all tickets are usually sold out before the performance, we offer you a possibility to book tickets beforehand.
Our next season is truly exclusive: on the 31st of December we shall be celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Lithuanian opera, on the 4th of December - 85th Anniversary of the Lithuanian ballet. These two important dates have determined the inclusion of some very special events into the repertoire of the 2010-2011 Season.
At the end of September the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatr e is inviting all ballet lovers to the solemn Ballet Week, which will start on the 29th September with our latest premiere of “Coppelia” - 85 years ago this particular ballet initiated the birth of professional Lithuanian ballet. Current production will also be shown on 4th December, the birthday of ballet. This “Coppelia” is very different from the one that was presented in 1925 in Kaunas - here we have more spirit of E. T. A. Hoffmann and a wonderfully mystical atmosphere, created by famous painter Michail Chemiakin and choreographer Kirill Simonov. Other events of the Ballet Week shall warm hearts with the help of our fantastic guests, ballet soloists from Moscow: Olesia Novikova, Leonid Sarafanov (“Don Quixote” on 30 September), Anastasia Matviyenko, Michail Lobuchin (“La Bayadère” on 1 October), Svetlana Lunkina and Nikolay Tsikaridze (“Giselle” on 2 October).
LNOBT is also very proud to present two highly exceptional events: on 30 October, for the first time in independent Lithuania and the only time in Baltic countries, all appreciators of great music and high-quality performance shall have an opportunity to attend a concert of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - it currently stands on 2-3 position in the charts of the best orchestras in the world. New York Philharmonic shall be lead by its music director Mr. Alan Gilbert. Another highlight of the 2010-2011 Season is a concert of the world’s most famous pianist Evgeny Kissin - on 2 November he shall be playing pieces by F. Chopin and R. Schumann.
 No season at the LNOBT can be fully alive without the famous Opera Week, and this year there are no exceptions! We shall be beginning our special celebration of the 90th Anniversary of opera on 28 December with “La forza del destino” - the main role of Leonora shall be performed by Lithuanian queen of opera Violeta Urmana and she will be joined by a wonderful tenor Badri Maisuradze, who sang the role of Don Alvaro in the premiere of this production. The third premiere of G. Verdi’s “Otello” on 29 December will pamper theatregoers with a performance of Vladimir Galuzin, who is currently considered to be the best Otello in the whole world. On 30 December the LNOBT shall be inviting to the legendary “La traviata” by G. Verdi, performed by our best soloists Asmik Grigorian, Vaidas Vyšniauskas, Vytautas Juozapaitis and others. On 31 December we invite you to celebrate the New Year‘s Eve together with Violeta Urmana and her husband Alfredo Nigro. According to the theatre‘s general manager Gintautas Kėvišas, “Violeta Urmanavičiūtė is a very rare and exceptional phenomenon not only in Lithuania, but also in the context of all other opera soloists in the whole world. It is enough for her to simply step on stage - one immediately wants to stand up out of respect, such strong is her personal magic. It seems that all applause is dedicated to her only, even if her role in the opera is not the main one... She is an exceptionally bright personality and unique not only because of her outstanding voice, but also because of the personal qualities.”
The coming season is also filled with beautiful anniversaries of our beloved personalities of opera and ballet. We will be remembering opera soloists Elena Čiudakova (1925–1973), Kipras Petrauskas (1885–1968), Abdonas Lietuvninkas (1921–1990), choreographer Vytautas Grivickas (1925–1990), celebrating anniversary of our unforgettable Carmen - Irena Jasiūnaitė (6 October), congratulating legendary conductor Rimas Geniušas (28 October) and mourning Vytautas Viržonis (a solemn concert in his honour shall be performed on 1 December). Ballet troupe will congratulate choreographer Elegijus Bukaitis (15 January), ballet soloists Raimondas Minderis (20 January) and Aleksandras Molodovas (4 March). Together with all lovers of ballet we will also congratulate a very special friend of Lithuanian ballet, the wonderful Maya Plisetskaya (29 October). On 14 October Lithuanian opera soloist Vytautas Juozapaitis will also celebrate his 20 years on stage with a performance of “Rigoletto”.
The new 2010-2011 Season will also offer three premieres. This year th e special opera premiere is the staging of one of the most beautiful operas by Giuseppe Verdi - “Otello” (12, 13 November), which will be brought to life by director Eimuntas Nekrošius and conductor Daniele Rustioni from Italy (“Otello“ shall also be conducted by Martynas Staškus and Gintaras Rinkevičius). Two ballet premieres are set for the springtime - on 19 and 20 we will be reviving K. Khachaturian‘s ballet for children “Cipollino”, which will be choreographed by H. Majorov and designed by Valerij Levental (USA). The season shall be crowned with a one-act ballet “Queen of Spades”, set to the music of P. Tchaikovsky (27, 28 May). Created by choreographer Roland Petit, this production was already shown at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
During the season the LNOBT will welcome many guest artists in opera and ballet performances, and we will also be witnessing some interesting debuts. On 6 October the role of Carmen will be sung by Jovita Vaškevičiūtė, owner of an exceptional voice; Asmik Grigorian will be singing in ballet “Zorba the Greek” on 8 October; promising and very talented young tenor Merūnas Vitulskis shall be undertaking the role of Nemorino in “L’elisir d’amore” on 15 October; Ramūnas Urbietis will be singing Count Danilo in “The Merry Widow” on 26 November and Rafailas Karpis will make his debut as Jingle the Dwarf in “The Tiny Lingonberry” on 28 November. LNOBT will also welcome back one of its most beautiful productions - “La Juive”, which will also bring another debut for Vaidas Vyšniauskas, who shall be performing the role of Eleazar. After many debuts last season, this time the ballet troupe is preparing only one - Romas Ceizaris‘ first appearance in “Giselle” on 27 November.
At the end of September we will be welcoming our special guests - Klaipeda State Music Theatre will present three national spectacles: G. Kuprevičius’ musical “Veronika”, new opera-phantasmagoria by A. Žigaitytė “Frank-Einstein: XXI Century“ and “A Potato Tale”, opera for children by A. Kučinskas.
You can book your tickets beforehand and receive special discounts by using LNOBT’s Subscription Offer, which is valid until 20 September. Those that buy Subscription package 5+ shall receive a 30% discount for their tickets. Subscription package 5+ Weekends consists of performances shown on Saturdays and Sundays - it offers you a 25% discount. Brand new package of this season is the Celebratory 3+, which gives you an opportunity to purchase tickets to exclusive events dedicated to the celebration of opera and ballet anniversaries with a 10% discount. The theatre is also rewarding all owners of this year’s subscription packages with a free subscription of the LNOBT’s magazine “Bravissimo” and an opportunity to participate in a special lottery, with prizes provided by the theatre and its partons.
We wish you all of the best impressions and experiences at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre!
Maestro Vytautas Viržonis passes away at the age of 79
 In the morning of 15th June we have lost one of the most famous Lithuanian conductors, professor Vytautas Viržonis. Knight of Lithuanian opera, without whom the life of this genre in our country couldn‘t be possible. In August we would have celebrated his 80th anniversary, and Maestro spent 60 years of his life at the theatre... Here he breathed theatre life while taking up different jobs - he began as a coach and later became a conductor. Wonderful storyteller, who always managed to reveal the true enchanting magic of theatre in his vivid memories - for him theatre was never just a job, it was a way of life. Events that made history, emotions and experiences that lead towards the ever-fading past... Maybe they were the reason why Maestro’s eyes were always full of youthful, sparkling embers? Who will now bring back those precious memories, who will tell us all of the untold stories?..
Vytautas Viržonis (1930) has been the member of the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre since 1953; he began as a theatre pianist,worked as an assistant conductor, he started conducting performances in 1956. In 1959, after completing the conducting course, he prepared his first opera premiere - V.Gokieli’s opera for children “The Little Red Hood” at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. He became a theatre conductor in 1961. Since then he has been conducting a great number of theatre performances, has prepared 43 opera and 10 ballet premieres, his repertoire consisted of 60 operas and 15 ballet performances, among which were J. Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffmann” and “La Perichole”, G. Verdi’s “Aida”, “Rigoletto”, “Otello”, “Don Carlos”, “La Traviatta” and “Il Trovatore”, Ch. Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” and “Faust”, V Bellini’s “Norma”, A. Borodin’s “Prince Igor”, M. Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov”, G. Puccini’s “La fanciulla del West” and “Tosca”, W. A. Mozart’s “Bastien and Bastienne”, R. Wagner’s “Der fliegende Holländer”, G. Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor”, C. M. von Weber’s “Der Freischütz”, etc., also the premieres of five operas by Lithuanian composers, ballets: A. Adam’s “Giselle”, L. Delibes’s “Coppelia”, P. Tchaikovsky’s “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Swan Lake” among others. In 1986, during guest performances of the theatre at the Moscow‘s Bolshoi, V. Viržonis conducted “Otello”, “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Coppelia”, at the Warsaw Grand Theatre in 1988 the same productions and “Norma”, in Heilbronn - “Don Carlos” (1991) and “Giselle” (1992). In 1990 V. Viržonis undertook the conducting of R. Wagner’s “Tannhäuser”, the premiere of which was prepared by the conductor Wolfgang Rogner from Erfurt; in December of 1990 he world premiered ballet “Catharsis” by the Swiss composer Andreas Pfluger. In 1991, together with Alvydas Vasaitis, a conductor from the USA, Maestro staged A.Ponchielli’s opera “I Lituani” that was presented both at the Chicago Lithuanian Opera and the Vilnius theatre.
In 1995 V. Viržonis brought together a chamber opera orchestra that performed in Switzerland (Basel, Zurich, etc.) and Germany (Nurnberg, Stuttgart, etc.) In 1963 he started teaching at the Lithuanian Academy of Music, later becoming a professor.
Many stars of the stage, such as S. Pally, E. Moser , V. Zeani , A. Tomova - Sintow, G. Bumbry , J. King , N. Herlea , M. Ritzmann , R. Struchkova , N. Bessmertnova, took part in performances conducted by V. Viržonis.
Vytautas Viržonis’ work was exceptionally diverse, he contributed to the life of the Lithuanian opera as a pianist, conductor and speaker, who often hosted theatre events and meetings with opera stars. His influence on opera singers cannot be put in words - all of the singers performing at the theatre today are his students of opera studio at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. In 2003 prof. V. Viržonis also started working at the LNOBT’s opera studio.
We give our unending gratitude to Maestro Vytautas Viržonis for everything he gave to the theatre and Lithuanian opera. Thank you, dearest Maestro, you shall be truly missed.
The departed is laid out in the home of ritual service “Nutrūkusi styga” (Ąžuolyno str. 10, near the Ice Palace). Visits are possible from 11 a.m. on the 16th of June, Wednesday. The funeral shall be held on the 17th of June at 1:30 p.m. at the Antakalnis cemetery.
Celebration of the European Opera Days
On 8 and 9 of May the doors of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre are wide open for all of you – together we shall celebrate the European Opera Days!
We are kindly inviting you to the following events:
8 May, Saturday:
10 a.m.: Theatrical excursion leading through the backstage spaces of the LNOBT (please book beforehand by calling 8 5 2620727 or (+370) 615 51000).
4 – 5 p.m.: Concert at the Kudirka’s square, performed by LNOBT‘s Opera Studio for Children “We Play the Game of Opera” and dance troupe of modern and classical dance “Polėkis“.
6:30 p.m.: F. Lehar‘s operetta “The Merry Widdow” at the LNOBT. Please feel free to try your luck in a lottery held before the performance!
9 May, Sunday:
10 a.m. and 3 p.m.: Theatrical excursion leading through the backstage spaces of the LNOBT (please book beforehand by calling 8 5) 2620727 or (+370) 615 51000).
12 p.m.: J. Tamulionis’ opera “The Tiny Lingonberry” at the LNOBT. Please feel free to try your luck in a lottery held before the performance!
2 p.m.: A meeting with the creative team of “The Tiny Lingonberry” at the theatre’s Red Foyer (free of charge). After the meeting we encourage you to also take part in a theatrical excursion leading through the backstage spaces of the LNOBT.
All visitors are very welcome to look through an exhibition of children’s paintings submitted for the “Let’s Welcome the Tiny Lingonberry!” contest.
Summer Season with the Most Beautiful Productions of the LNOBT
This year the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre shall celebrate the Summer Season by showing its most beautiful and beloved productions. During summer, as the theatres get silent and empty, many people miss the charming theatrical fuss, and so the LNOBT announces its Summer Season 2010 - this year you will have a possibility to enjoy not only the usual summer performance of V. Klova’s opera “Pilėnai”, but also the most exquisite productions of the repertoire, performed by our best singers and dancers.
2 June, Wednesday: M. Theodorakis‘ ballet “Zorba the Greek“. It doesn’t really matter what weather shall greet you on that day - there is no doubt, that you will feel like visiting the sunny Greece while watching this performance. And don’t forget to dance at least some sirtaki on your way home! “Zorba the Greek” shall be performed by Aleksandras Molodovas, Eglė Špokaitė, Nerijus Juška, Aurelijus Daraškevičius, Živilė Baikštytė. Conductor (and maybe even a dancer of the traditional sirtaki encore...) - Martynas Staškus.
 3 June, Thursday: H. Løvenskiold’s “La Sylphide”. It is a beautiful romantic story about impossible love between a human being and a sylph and natural human temptation to rush towards danger and uncertainty. In the 19th century this beautiful, white and light ballet symbolized the romantic ideology, and different dance moves were hiding certain meanings, thoughts and passions. In this performance at the LNOBT all of the meaning shall be given to you by Olga Konošenko, Romas Ceizaris, Martynas Rimeikis, Živilė Baikštytė, Valerijus Fadejevas and other ballet artists. “La Sylphide” shall be conducted by Alvydas Šulčys.
9 (Wednesday) and 10 (Thursday) June: W. A. Mozart‘s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro”. A truly “Mozartian” work of art filled with refined Spanish elegance, subtly humorous eroticism, the heat of Seville and aroma of the orange trees in the garden - this production is truly a ray of warmth and joy in our lives. This story of a crazy day, where no one knows what will happen next, shall be performed by Vytautas Juozapaitis (first performance as Count Almaviva), Sigutė Stonytė, Joana Gedmintaitė, Egidijus Dauskurdis, Ona Kolobovaitė (9 of June); Dainius Stumbras, Sandra Janušaitė, Regina Šilinskaitė, Egidijus Dauskurdis, Vilija Mikštaitė (10 of June). Conductor - Martynas Staškus.
17 June, Thursday: G. Bizet‘s opera “Carmen“. This French opera is probably the best and the most stylish portrayal of the Spanish gipsies - “Carmen” is also the most often staged opera in the whole world, while its creator G. Bizet remains in the operatic history as the author of that one single masterpiece. Simple, but passionate and wonderfully impressive production by Arnaud Bernard doesn’t leave anyone in the audience cold-blooded, especially when the main role is sung by Ieva Prudnikovaitė, who earned an award as the best opera soloist of the year for her sparkling debut in “Carmen“. Her partners on stage shall be Vaidas Vyšniauskas, Liudas Norvaišas, Sandra Janušaitė and others. Conductor - Robertas Šervenikas.
20 June, Saturday: G. Verdi‘s “La Traviata”. Probably every opera lover in Lithuania knows this opera by heart! Exceptionally beautiful music by G. Verdi tells us a moving, tragic love story that is complemented by Chen Shi-Zheng’s sensitive staging. “La Traviata” shall be sung by Asmik Grigorian, Edmundas Seilius, Vytautas Juozapaitis, Laima Jonutytė and o ther soloists, conducted by Robertas Šervenikas.
3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday) July: V. Klova‘s opera “Pilėnai”. In the summer of 2001 the LNOBT finally fulfilled its dream of showing a Lithuanian opera in the surroundings of the Trakai Castle. The Castle works as a historical set, allowing the music of the opera to blossom with new colours. Despite all weather forecasts, “Pilėnai” always attracts exceptionally many appreciators of opera. And this summer is said to be very beautiful and sunny! In “Pilėnai” you shall see and hear such performers as Eugenijus Vasilevskis, Julija Stupnianek, Inesa Linaburgytė, Liudas Norvaišas, Ramūnas Urbietis, Vytautas Kurnickas (3 July), Vytautas Bakula, Vilhelma Mončytė, Jovita Vaškevičiūtė, Egidijus Dauskurdis, Ramūnas Urbietis, Vytautas Kurnickas (4 July). The wonderful “Pilėnai” in Trakai shall be conducted by Vytautas Viržonis.
Performances at the LNOBT start at 6:30 p.m., performances in Trakai - at 9:00 p.m.
Tickets are sold at the LNOBT‘s Box Office Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. In case there is a performance on Sunday evening, the Box Office is open until the curtain up.
Information and booking: 262 07 27, (+370) 615 51000, (+370) 612 46614, www.opera.lt
Best Present for All Mothers - Evening at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
 On 30 April the LNOBT is inviting to the performance of ballet „Anna Karenina“
„...It seemed that snowstorm was waiting only for her. And a candle that burned so brightly, flaming with love, now flashed a bright light, illuminating for Anna everything that was previously hiding in darkness...Suddenly it started snapping, grew weaker and finally faded away forever...” - wrote Count Lev Tolstoy about his favourite heroine. Anna, Annushka... First portrayed by Maya Plisetskaya, she was once again reborn and wonderfully performed at the LNOBT by Eglė Špokaitė. On 30 April, in a ballet filled with gentle poetics of love, we will see her dancing together with Nerijus Juška as the charming and passionate officer Vronsky. Expressive art of dance, story of passion, family drama and Anna’s tragedy shall not leave a single heart untouched in the audience.
Rodion Shchedrin’s “Anna Karenina” that was first performed at the LNOBT in the autumn of 2005 is still one of the most impressive productions of the theatre. Subtle poetics of dance introduced by choreographer A. Ratmansky and imaginative technical details - such as the falling snow, horse racing and a real train on stage - create an unforgettable theatrical experience.
As the Mother’s Day celebration is getting closer, don’t forget to pamper your beloved Mother with a wonderful evening at our theatre and unforgettable magic of Eglė Špokaitė and Nerijus Juška’s dance.
Performance begins at 6.30 p.m.
Tickets: 25, 35, 45, 55, 75, 180 Lt.
Spring Celebration of Italian Music in Lithuania!
A truly beautiful spring has finally come to Lithuania! This week we’re introducing the most appreciated operas by Giuseppe Verdi – lovely reminders that it is always better to greet our still somewhat cold spring with sunny Italian music.
On 21 April, Wednesday, we are kindly inviting you to “Rigoletto” with Dainius Stumbras, Edmundas Seilius and Joana Gedmintaitė, conducted by Martynas Staškus. Evening of the 22 of April is dedicated to “La Traviata“, performed by Asmik Grigorian, Vaidas Vyšniauskas, Vytautas Juozapaitis and conducted by Robertas Šervenikas. These best LNOBT’s productions are meant especially for you.
Both performances start at 6:30 pm. Tickets: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 120 Lt.
Victory in an International Competition
We congratulate opera soloist Deividas Staponkus, who won 2nd Prize at the international competition for singers in Lonigo (Italy) and his accompanist Audronė Juozauskaitė, winner of the 1st Prize Diploma in the category of the Art of Accompaniment.
Laureates of the “Golden Stage Cross“ Awards at the LNOBT
Winners of the “Golden Stage Cross” Awards were announced on 27 March, World Theatre Day.
Arūnas Malikėnas won an award in the Opera category for his role of Dancairo in “Carmen”, while Asmik Grigorian received her Golden Cross for the role of Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” and thus became the winner in the Operetta / Musical category. The best artist in Ballet / Dance category was Eligijus Butkus, who received his award for the role of James in “La Sylphide”. The LNOBT is very happy and proud of all winners of the year, wishing them continuous theatrical success!
The Ministry of Culture grants “Golden Stage Cross” Awards together with monetary prizes to the most accomplished theatre creators of the year. The awards were first introduced in 2004 as a substitute to “Kristoforas” Award that used to be given every year since 1995.
Awaiting Easter: “Johannespassion“ - Work of Divine Harmony
On 1 and 2 of April, as the Easter Holidays approach, the LNOBT is proud to once again present one of its best productions, filled with divine harmony and subtle extravagance - “Johannespassion”, written by J. S. Bach (1685 - 1750) and directed by Robert Wilson. It is a co-production with the Paris’ “Théâtre du Châtelet” and the Vilnius Festival 2007.
“Johannespassion” is a masterpiece of American director Robert Wilson, who is the director, choreographer, stage and lighting designer of this production. It is very difficult to classify R. Wilson’s theatre when it comes to theoretical descriptions of theatrical art. However, it can be said that the undeniable talent of this artist sparkles in the aesthetics and structures of the post-modernist theatre. Movement, word, light and unexpected mixes of these elements create the most incredible, enchanting new forms of theatrical processes. This production of “Johannespassion” is full of such processes - filled with unique charm, it makes the viewers experience new realities and spaces.
“Johannespassion” shall be sung by our opera soloists: Kęstutis Alčauskis, who in 2007 received the “Švyturys Award” in the category “Male Soloist of the Year” for the role of Evangelist, also Mindaugas Zimkus, Egidijus Dauskurdis, Liudas Norvaišas, Eugenijus Barkovskis, Saulius Laurinaitis, Jūratė Rudžianskaitė. We will also welcome our guests - Johannes von Duisburg from Germany, accomplished performers of Baroque music Jana Mamonova (Russia) and Sophie Harmsen (Germany). Dancer Laimutė Petersonaitė shall also participate in the performance. Conductor - Rolf Beck from Germany.
Schoolchildren, students and their teachers can purchase their tickets to both performances for 10 Litas. The same price shall also be valid for seniors, should they purchase tickets to the performance of “Johannespassion“ on 2 April.
LNOBT Mourn s the Passing of Prima Ballerina Tamara Sventickaitė
On March 18, 2010, Lithuanian ballet star, former LTSR Artist Tamara Sventickaitė - Kunavičienė passed away after her long battle with a difficult ilness.
In 1932-1938 she studied at the Ballet Studio of the Theatre of the Republic, from 1938 to 1944 she continued as the theatre‘s dancer. Until 1968 she also danced at the then called LTSR Opera and Ballet Theatre. Tamara Sventickaitė polished her skills at the Kirov‘s Opera and Ballet Theatre in Leningrad (now the Mariinsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg). The dancer‘s biography is coloured by many principal ballet roles, performed at the most important productions of that time, including P. Tchaikovsky‘s “Swan Lake” (Odette and Odile) and “The Sleeping Beauty” (Aurora), title role in A. Adam’s “Giselle”, J. Pakalnis’ “Fiancée” (Marytė), Kastė and Onė in J. Juzeliūnas “At the Seashore” and many others.
Having finished her career as a ballet artist, Tamara Sventickaitė nurtured the young generation of dancers at the then Lithuanian Conservatory. As a dancer she was exceptionally temperamental, displayed unique virtuosity and charmed her audiences with character and lyrical roles alike.
On 22nd of April LNOBT is Inviting You to Verdi‘s Masterpiece “La Traviata”
Upon the request of our patrons, on 22 of April, Thursday, the planned performance of Ch. W. Gluck’s opera “Orfeo ed Euridice” shall be replaced by G. Verdi’s opera “La Traviata” that sparked great interest in the cultural life of Lithuania. The main roles shall be sung by Asmik Grigorian, Vaidas Vyšniauskas, Vytautas Juozapaitis and Laima Jonutytė. Conductor of the performance is Robertas Šervenikas.
It is a perfect chance to once again enjoy your beloved production with a great cast!
Beautiful Premiere for Children and Their Parents - J. Tamulionis’ “The Tiny Lingonberry”
 On 20 and 21 March the LNOBT is inviting all children and their parents to the premiere of J. Tamulionis’ opera “The Tiny Lingonberry”. Premiere of an opera for children - such joy! And besides, it is a national work of art! Lack of professional works for children that would be suitable for the national stage was felt for quite some time now, thus in 2008 the theatre and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania announced a special contest for the creation of children’s opera, which was won by composer Jonas Tamulionis - he suggested “The Tiny Lingonberry”, based on a mythological fairytale by Martynas Vainilaitis (libretto by Milda Brėdikytė). The hard work has started, and look - the premiere is already here.
Composer Jonas Tamulionis claims that the idea of writing opera for children has been with him for a long time and the contest was a nice possibility to finally bring this idea to life. Although the requirements didn’t state that the opera had to use Lithuanian libretto, J. Tamulionis still chose M. Vainilaitis’ fairytale - “the fairytale is simply beautiful, the characters are very interesting, and the language - it is a breath of fresh air”, says the composer, who wanted to create an opera that would be full of dynamics and would bring a lot of joy to the children.
Meanwhile director of the production Gytis Padegimas tells us that although he is a drama director, he grew up at the opera theatre - this is why his productions are always filled with music. Even on tours he spends more time going to concerts and opera performances than drama productions. “This is my first time stepping into an opera theatre as a director and not as a mere audience member - this makes me a little nervous,” - says G. Padegimas. “While directing this opera I really want to get back to the theatrical mode of the theatre, which holds in itself many secrets and miracles - here a child discovers that not everything in life is a easy as it seems when you’re playing some computer games. Children’s production in itself needs to be attractive, refuse blunt moralizing. Every child needs to find the essence of the story, a certain code of virtues - what is the world, loyalty, solidarity, what is beautiful and what is ugly. Nowadays superficiality is a big problem, this is why I want to also invite adults to visit this performance. I don’t mean that they will find exceptional problems there, but “The Tiny Lingonberry” is filled with such beautiful music, our designer created fantastic, colourful stage designs, exceptionally beautiful costumes, choreography is also a great work - I’m sure adults will find something for themselves as well. It is my greatest wish that visiting the theatre would turn into a little celebration, that all audience members would see and feel a different world created with an exceptional love by the creative team”, says the director.
The production will use new reconstructed stage mechanisms, many plungers - the action is swirling on earth, in the Underworld and the universe... Children have a possibility to witness a miracle - something on stage is going up and down, the ground levels are constantly changing, revealing hundreds of new colours, movements and emotions. Children need a miracle and this opera gives them a perfect chance to create it for themselves.
Don’t miss your chance to see R. Wagner’s masterpiece “The Flying Dutchman” with Johannes von Duisburg in the main role!
On 4 and 5 of March, at 6:30 p.m., the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is inviting you to Richard Wagner’s famous opera “The Flying Dutchman” - these are the only two performances for this season! The current production (premiered in the spring of 2004) is one of the most impressive works of our theatre, filled with action and mesmerizing mysticism. Director Francesca Zambello, whose creations charm the audiences all over the world, is here retelling the story of the tormented and doomed sailor with stylish simplicity, and yet her “The Flying Dutchman” breathes incomparable theatrical magic. Wagner’s genius, stunning interpretation by conductor Gintaras Rinkevičius, wonderful singers, subtle, but very stiking design - everything here is perfectly combined to reveal drama hidden within the music.
The main role of the Dutchman shall be performed by our beloved soloist from Germany Johannes von Duisburg, who had previously sung the role for more than 170 times in different productions. He made his debut in the role in 1991 at the “Mecklenburgische Staatstheater” in Schwerin, Germany. Then only 24 years old, the singer became the youngest performer of the role in the history of this opera. In the autumn of 1997, art magazine “Arioso International” wrote after performances of “The Flying Dutchman”: “Johannes von Duisburg, the singer of the main role, is blessed with an extraordinary voice - with a bronze shade and a solidity of granite. He is also a wonderful actor, who performed the role of the Dutchman with terrific emotion and talent.” This is also how Jonannes von Duisburg is remembered by the Lithuanian audience.
On 4 of March the role of Senta shall be sung by Sandra Janušaitė, on the 5th - by Sigutė Stonytė. Participating in the performances are also Egidijus Dauskurdis, Vytautas Kurnickas, Ligita Račkauskaitė and Audrius Rubežius.
On 4 March all schoolchildren, students and teachers shall have a possibility to purchase their tickets for 10 Litas.
Igor Yebra returns to the LNOBT
 The charming Spanish ballet dancer Igor Yebra is back in Vilnius! On 28 February at 6 p.m. he shall perform the role of Basilio in L. A. Minkus’ ballet “Don Quichotte”. Tall, elegant and handsome like Apollo - Igor Yebra is awarded with thunderous applause wherever he dances. Appreciators of ballet are enchanted by his exceptional talent, flawless technique, artistry and natural passionate temperament. Dance critics even named him the “Spanish conquistador” of ballet!
Igor Yebra first danced at the LNOBT in January and May of 2000 - together with our stars Eglė Špokaitė, Asta Bazevičiūtė, Rūta Jezerskytė and others he performed in “Romeo and Juliet“, “Giselle“, “Don Quichotte“ and “The Swan Lake“. In the same year he toured Germany together with our ballet company, and in 2001 also toured Japan. Now, after a break, he returns to the LNOBT!
“Both my parents had always been music and dance enthusiasts. They even got to the point of calling me Igor, in honour of the main character in Borodin’s opera Prince Igor” - says I. Yebra. “They also enrolled my two sisters in a dance school when they were very young. My parents themselves opened a dance school for children. I therefore grew up surrounded by dance and ballet.”
After studying in Victor Ullate´s School of Madrid with Karemia Moreno, Igor Yebra continued his studies with Angela Santos, Pine Alosa and also began to form part of the ballet of the Community of Madrid where he stayed until 1996.
In 1991, in Paris, he obtained the Great Prize of the Contest of Eurovision for young dancers, in 1996 he was awarded the Second Prize of the Maya Plisetskaya´s Contest in San Petersburg, the Prize Dances and Dances, and also the Best dancer in Italy. In 2003 he won the Leonide Massine Prize.
His repertory includes, as a protagonist, choreographies by H. van Manen (“Hameklavier“, “Five Tangos“, “In and Out“, “Grosse Fuga“); by R. van Dantzing (“The last four songs“); by N. Christie (“Before night fall“, “Quartet“); by J. Linkens (“Hayden Symphony“); by F. Alonso (“Carmen“); by T.Mendez (“Munecos“); by W. Forshyte (“In the Middle…“). He also performed main roles in “Giselle” (Perrot-Coralli, A.Alonso, D. Deane, C. Jude); “Don Quichotte” (Petipa-Gorsky, Vassiliev, C.Jude); “Bayadere” (Petipa, N. Makarova); “Chopiniana“, “Firebird“, “The spectrum of the rose” (Fokine), “Byzantine and Julieta” (Cranco, V. Vassiliev, A. Amodio, C. Fracci); “La Sylphide” (A.Bournonville); “Swan Lake” (Petipa-Ivanov, G.Samsova, C.Jude, P, Chalmer, V. Nebrada); “The Sleeping Beauty” (Petipa, G.Samsova, C.Jude); “Coppelia” (Saint- Lion, A. Alonso, C.Jude); “Cinderella” (S.Bounafout); “Nutcracker” (Ivanov, A, Amodio, C. Jude); “Icaro“, “Suite an blanc” (S. Lifar); “The cocked hat” (l. Massine); “Adaggieto” (O.Araiz); “Zorba The Greek” (L. Massine); “Ivan The Terrible” (Y. Grigorovich); “Theme and variations“; “Allegro Brillante“, “Sonatina“, “Baroque Concerto“, “Who cares“'.
Many choreographers have developed roles especially for him: R. Hynd (the Prince, in “Nutcracker“), M.G.Garofolli (Albercht, in “Giselle“, Vasilio, in “Don Quichotte“), V. Nebrada (Siegfred, in “Swan Lake“), S. Gianetti (Valentino, in “Il due gentilumini di Verona“), M.van Hoecke (Rinaldo, in “La foresta incantata” and “Saeta“), L.Massine (Jesus Christ, in “Laudes evangelis“), V. Ullate (“Arraigo“, “De Triana a Sevilla“, “Amor Brujo“), M. Granero (“Daphnis et Cloe“, “Tango''), L. Buy (“Macbeth“, “Midnight summer dream“), P.Chalmer (“The Vestale“, “The Gypsy“), C.Jude (Vasilio, in “Don Quichotte“), S.Simon (“Carmina Burana“), Ana M. Stekelman (“Felicitas“).
As a guest dancer, he has collaborated with the Australian Ballet (permanent guest in 1997-1998), LÁterballeto, National Ballet of Cuba, N.B. of Venezuela, Ballet of the Kremlin, Scottish Ballet, N.B. of Hungary, N.B. of Lithuania, Theatre San Carlos of Naples, Ballet of the La Scala of Milan, N.B. of Yekaterinburg, Ballet of the Opera of Leipzig, N.B. of Ufa, B.O. of Limoges, B.O. of Niza, Ballet Argentino of Julio Bocca, among many others. He also takes part in many gala concerts on the best stages of the world.
 In December 2002, the National Opera of Bordeaux directed by C.Jude invited him to interpret the Prince in the Sleeping Beauty and later, The Tricorne, Icaro, Sextet, Suite an blanc, Nutcracker, Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake and Don Quijote. He also toured with B.O. of Bordeaux, in the Festival of Edinburgh, in the Theatre Mariinsky of Saint Petersburg, Theatre Chatelet of Paris, also in Budapest, in Italy and Spain.
On December 31, 2006, he was appointed the Leading Dancer of the National Opera of Bordeaux.
Since July 2002, he has been collaborating with the Opera of Rome directed by Carla Fracci, as The First Invited Dancer, at the same time taking part in tours in Italy and abroad.
In September 2006 he opened his own school in Bilbao - a project of future, and in October 2008, a new school was inaugurated in Amurrio.
He sporadically creates his own choreographies for the operas, such as “La Traviata“, “Carmen“, “Aida“, “Il signore Bruscchino“, “The father Arrupe“, as well as for ballet - “Carmen Suite“, N“utcracker Suite” ballet and others.
Igor Yebra himself says that he gives away everything for the art’s sake - he wraps his dance in an ephemeral gown of dreams, magic and fantasy, shunning all worries of our everyday life. “We artists are all very sensitive people and that we therefore sometimes feel very close to God. At other times, though, we are so self-centred that we only think about ourselves. I prefer facts to words. I like it when people actually do things. Also, faith is very important for me. A faith which is also hope. I can’t understand how a human being could live without hope because for me, hope is the most important thing. Hope is based on faith and expresses itself through love. We must realise that the world we live in belongs to all of us and thus we must all seek to create peace, harmony and equality.”
Vladimir Vasiliev, one of the most famous ballet artists of the 20th century, called Igor Yebra “A flame on stage!” - such description is especially suitable for this Basilio. Dancing together with I. Yebra in Don Quichotte shall be Jekaterina Oleinik (Minsk), Margarita Verigaitė, Nerijus Tauskus, Olga Konošenko, Julija Turkina (debut as Amor), Valerijus Fadejevas, Nailia Adigamova, Žavinta Čičelytė, Rūta Kudžmaitė. Conductor - Vytautas Viržonis. Performance starts at 6 p.m.
Klemens Sander (Austria) - Guest Soloist in the Premiere of Le Nozze di Figaro
W. A. Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro premieres on the 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of February. In the first two performances the role of the Count Almaviva shall be sung by the world-famous soloist Klemens Sander.
Every music lover knows that good performance is an essential element of any production. This rule is even more important when it comes to Mozart's operas - witty, charming, but difficult pieces. In the upcoming premiere of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro we are proud to present LNOBT's best soloists (who are currently rehearsing their roles with great success) along with our guest Klemens Sander - an exceptional bass-baritone from Austria, specialist of Mozart's music.
Klemens Sander was born in Upper Austria. As a child, he was a member of the St. Florian Boy’s Choir. His formal education took him to the University for Music and Applied Arts, Vienna and to the Conservatory of the City of Vienna, where he studied Opera, Lied and Oratorio with Helena Lazarska, Robert Holl and David Lutz. Additionally, Klemens Sander took part in masterclasses with Thomas Hampson, Gundula Janowitz, Dagmar Pecková and Hartmut Höll.
Prizes he has won include the Richard Tauber Prize for singers (Wigmore Hall London, 2003), the Margie Wiedemann Lied Prize at the International Competition in S´Hertogenbosch (Netherlands 2002), 2nd prize (with no 1st prize given) at the Ada Sary International Competition (Poland 2002) and a 2nd prize (with no 1st prize given) in the prestigious Robert Schumann Competition in Zwickau, Germany. In 2001/2002 he was awarded a scholarship by the Thyll Dürr Foundation.
Klemens Sander made his operatic debut in 2001 at the Vienna Volksoper. Between 2003-2006 he was engaged as a soloist at the Opera House of Karlsruhe, Germany, where he performed roles including Papageno (Magic Flute), Conte Almaviva (Le nozze Di Figaro), Belcore (L´elisir d´Amore), Marcello (La Bohème), Ping (Turandot), Donner (Das Rheingold) and Onegin (Eugene Onegin). Guest engagements from 2005 have taken Klemens to the Neue Oper Vienna, where he performed Seikyo in Tan Dun's opera TEA, Salzburg Festival (Die Gezeichneten), Grand Theatre Luxembourg (Papageno in Magic Flute), Staatstheater Karlsruhe (Donner in Das Rheingold) and to the Theater an der Wien (Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Diaglogues des Carmèlites and Intermezzo). In the summer of 2008, Klemens Sander made his debut in the title role of Don Giovanni in a new production at the opera festival Klosterneuburg.
For the 2008/2009 season, Klemens returned to the Vienna Volksoper to sing Papageno (Magic Flute), Dr. Falke (Die Fledermaus), Lord Cookburn (Fra Diavolo) and Harlekin (Ariadne auf Naxos). For the 2009/2010 season he will also sing Schaunard (La Bohème) and Moruccio (Tiefland).
Besides opera, Klemens Sander is an active recitalist and concert singer. In 2005 he made his recital debut at Wigmore Hall, London with Charles Spencer (piano). In 2008 he performed Schubert's Winterreise with Justus Zeyen (piano) at the Mozarteum Salzburg. He has appeared in many of the great concert halls of the world including the Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus, London's Wigmore Hall, Philharmonie Berlin, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Suntory Hall Tokyo and at various European festivals including the Salzburg Festival, Osterfestspiele Salzburg, Chamber Music Festival Lockenhaus, Carinthischer Sommer and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. He has worked with conductors such as Kent Nagano, Bertrand de Billy, Georges Prêtre, Franz Welser-Möst, Leopold Hager, Helmuth Rilling, René Jacobs, Martin Haselböck, Christopher Moulds, Christian Arming and Andreas Spering.
Recent concert highlights have included Fauré's Requiem under the baton of Georges Prêtre at the Berliner Philharmonie and Schubert's E-Flat Major Mass under Franz Welser-Möst. He has also performed Fauré's Requiem at the MDR Leipzig, Handel's Judas Maccabäus and Messiah at the Vienna Konzerthaus, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at the Vienna Musikverein, Orff's Carmina Burana in Tokyo, Taipei and Madrid, Haydn's Creation at the Brucknerhaus Linz, Szymanowski's Stabat Mater at the Festival for Polish Music Krakow, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem at Hamburg Laeiszhalle, Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Vienna Konzerthaus and Martin's Golgotha at Stefaniensaal Graz.
Upcoming projects include, amongst others, Britten's Death In Venice for the Theater an der Wien, Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem at the Musikverein, a recital with Justus Zeyen (piano) at the Centre des Arts Pluriels in Luxembourg, Bach's St. John Passion in Bordeaux and Schumann's Genoveva at the Beethoven Festival in Warsaw, Poland.
Lithuanian opera lovers will have an opportunity to listen to Klemens Sander on the 5 and 6 February.
27 January, 2010
Orfeo ed Euridice for students
On 18 February, at 6:30 p.m., the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is inviting you to Ch. W. Gluck's opera Orfeo ed Euridice.
The myth about Orpheus and his beloved wife Euridice is one of the most popular legends about Love conquering Death. Death, which probably wouldn't even exist in this story, if it wasn't for earthly passions and doubts... However, the final scene of the opera sparkles with joy - love always wins!
On the 18 February the role of Euridice shall be performed by two soloists: singer Regina Šilinskaitė and Eglė Mikulionytė - the "dancing Euridice", representing her soul. Participating in the performance are also Yaniv D'Or (Israel), owner of an exceptional voice and Jurgita Lopetaitė. Conductor - Martynas Staškus.
All students and their teachers have an opportunity to purchase their tickets for a special price of 10 Litas! The number of tickets is limited.
27 January, 2010
The Marriage of Figaro: One Deliriously Confusing Day!
 W. A. Mozart's masterpiece Le nozze di Figaro premieres at the LNOBT on 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of February.
At the time when George Washington was struggling to save his army during the winter at Valley Forge, the whole Europe and especially France were surrounded by revolutionary moods. Both monarchs and feudalists tried everything to save their status quo. Meanwhile in Paris, Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732–1799), an active supporter of American Revolution, was working on his play The Marriage of Figaro. The work was finished in 1778 and manifested ideas of universal freedom, equality and unity. Scandal! The play was immediately banned by the royal palace and Beaumarchais spent five days in jail. After many alterations and corrections, The Marriage of Figaro was eventually performed at the Comédie Francaise in 1784. It was awarded with unbelievable success and translated into German. Joseph II immediately banned the play in Germany and Austria.
In Le nozze di Figaro Beaumarchais continued his Figaro trilogy. The plot of this story covers the events of one single day in Seville - a city filled with hot rays of the sun and aroma of fresh oranges. The Count Almaviva married his beloved Rosina, however, their relationship turned bitter after some time because of the Count's constant flirting with other women. Figaro is no longer a barber - he now serves as the Count's valet and is engaged to the Countess' maid Susanna, who also inspires passions in the Count's heart... The old doctor Bartolo returns to his wicked plans of taking his revenge upon Figaro for helping Almaviva to steal his ward Rosina. In the extremely colourful gallery of characters we also have Cherubino, who is in love with all the women at the castle, mischevious spinster Marcellina, cunning music master Basilio, constantly drunk gardener Antonio and his naive daughter Barbarina. La folle journée - a mad day - is full of unexpected surprises...
Keeping its undeniable charm even to our days, Le nozze di Figaro is currently one of the most staged operas in the world. The new production at the LNOBT shall be playful, full of refined Spanish elegance and gentle, humoruous eroticism.
This French-Austrian-Spanish masterpiece is being brought to life by the creative team from Spain: director Emilio Sagi, set designer Daniel Bianco, lighting designer Eduardo Bravo, choreographer Nuria Castejón, and a costume designer from Argentina Renata Schussheim. Music director and conductor of the production is Martynas Staškus, chorus master - Česlovas Radžiūnas. The main roles in Le nozze di Figaro are prepared by our best soloists: Susanna - Joana Gedmintaitė, Asmik Grigorian and Regina Šilinskaitė, the Countess Rosina Almaviva - Sandra Janušaitė and Sigutė Stonytė, the Count Almaviva - Vytautas Juozapaitis, LNOBT's guest from Austria Klemens Sanders and Dainius Stumbras, Figaro - Egidijus Dauskurdis, Liudas Norvaišas and Kostas Smoriginas, Cherubino - Ona Kolobovaitė, Marta Lukošiūtė and Vilija Mikštaitė.
Cooperation Agreement between the Estonian National Opera, Latvian National Opera and Lithuanian National Opera
On Friday, 13 November. a cooperation agreement for the period of five years shall be signed in the Winter Garden of the National Opera by the Estonian National Opera, Latvian National Opera and Lithuanian National Opera. The agreement concerns guest performances by the three theatres, exchanges of performers and technical workers, joint productions, etc. On 12 and 13 November the representatives of Latvian and Lithuanian Operas, headed by General Managers Andrejs Žagars and Gintautas Kevišas, will be visiting the Estonian National Opera. The guests will be familiarized with the work of the National Opera, they will also meet the Minister of Culture and see the opera Wallenberg.
2009 November 13
Simple, but Passionate Show: The Premiere of Carmen at the LNOBT
 The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is buzzing with excitement - on 20th of November we will welcome the premiere of G. Bizet’s masterpiece Carmen. French director Arnaud Bernard is preparing a production of an opera that once conquered the whole world with its immense style and passion. It is the most often staged opera in the world, while its author Georges Bizet remains in the operatic history primarily as an author of that single work.
Is this opera Spanish or French? In the opera one can hear Spanish rhythms, a few Spanish songs, Habanera, Seguidilla, motives of Gypsy music, playing of castanets. Bizet’s relationship with Spanish spirit is quite interesting. When someone asked him if he has plans to travel to Spain for the improvement of his score, he replied “No, that would only confuse me”. And still, Carmen is one of the most beautiful musical landscapes of Spain, created with French sense of refined style.
Carmen wasn’t blessed with instant success - its premiere at the Opera-Comique in 1875 was marked by scandal rather than acknowledgement. Instead of classical, biblical or mythological heroes, ruling the stage were representatives of the low social class, acting in a vulgar psychological context. Don Jose wasn’t your regular Aeneas, and Carmen was obviously far from Dido. They’re not even close to Romeo and Juliet! Instead of speaking about love, this opera discussed sex and its destructive outcome. Scandal! Carmen and her co-workers from the factory were smoking on stage, and don’t forget the horrifying death in the final scene! Carmen was obviously an outsider of the society, a threat to the law and order. Opéra-Comique has never before seen anything like that. Moreover, intensive dramatic power of the music greatly disappointed all of those who went to theatre only to be entertained. The premiere was a major shock for “family theatre”.
Despite all negative comments, some critics, i.e. Joncieres and Theodor del Banville praised the work for its innovative spirit. In 1880 P. Tchaikovsky wrote to his patron N. von Meck: “I am absolutely sure that in some ten years Carmen shall be the most popular opera in the world”. Unfortunately, Bizet didn’t live to see this words coming to life. His Carmen was soon removed from the repertoire of Opéra-Comique but travelled to Vienna, Brussels, London and New York. After five years it triumphantly returned to Paris where it was greeted with huge enthusiasm and began its stunning career that resulted in the gift of immortality to Bizet.
Bizet created a masterpiece that was interpreted in thousands of different performances and productions. His music serves as material for ballet works (most famous of them being Rodion Shchedrin’s suite by Cuban choreographer Albert Alonso, created together with Maya Plisetskaya), musicals, many popular music adaptations, cinema - numeruous silent movies, sound-films and even cartoons, not to mention advertisements or mobile phone melodies. The admiration of the great 19th century French opera masterpiece is still alive even today.
The theme of Carmen was put on screen not only in the most famous cinema studios ir England, France, Italy, USA, Denmark or Spain, but also in Mexico, Japan, Argentina, Philipines, Sweden, Hong Kong. It was interpreted by some of the greatest directors of the 20th century, such as Charlie Chaplin, Carlos Saura, Peter Brook, Jean-Luc Godard, Francesco Rosi and others. The opera constantly gains new versions - its famous arias are sung by cartoon characters; in a production by Takarazuka Revue entitled Piece: Mister Carmen, the two principal characters exchange places - Carmen is sung by a man, and Jose, in turn, by a woman. In 1953Carmen also gained a parody Spike Jones kills Carmen, in which Carmen works in a bubblegum factory.
Despite all different visions of the work, Carmen is first of all is a major cornerstone of every opera theatre’s repertoire, staged more often than any other opera, it is also the most moving facet of opera and an ideal example of this specific art form.
Director Arnaud Bernard started his career as violinist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Strasbourg. In 1989, he was hired by the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse as stage manager and since that time, has worked as assistant director for all major productions. During this period, he continued his activities as assistant throughout France as well as abroad (Germany, Belgium, England, Argentina and United States, Japan, Italy, Spain) and particularly in the world's most prestigious operahouses: Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Scala di Milano, Opéra Bastille, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and others. After having been appointed as Associate Stage Director and Production Manager at the Théâtre du Capitole in 1996, he made his personal debut, at the age of 29, staging Falstaff for the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. followed by Il Trovatore in Toulouse and a new production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia (1998), also at the Théâtre du Capitole. More recently, he has staged Luisa Miller at the Fenice, La traviata in Prag (PSO), a new production of Falstaff at the Teatro San Carlo in Napoli for the opening of the season 2006, Rigoletto in Marseille and Nantes, L’Elisir d’amore in Toulouse, a new production of Cavalleria Rusticana in St. Gallen, a new production of Carmen in Helsinki in co-production with Lausanne and Tokyo, a new production of The Queen of Spades in Toulouse, Falstaff at the Teatro Colon, revival of La Bohème in Verona, Carmen and La traviata in Lausanne and in Tokyo, Carmen in Bilbao, Falstaff and La Bohème in Zagreb.
Mr. Arnaud Bernard, who has staged Carmen before, claims that “any new production of the same name is still at least 80% new. When you know certain opera very well, you are free to interpret the material from different angles. Even if the staging formula is the same, you have different performers and have to demand different things from them. Creativity is influenced by everything - people, artists, the spirit of the theatre. Carmen is a fantastic music, fantastic story, fantastic structure. One can’t take out anything from this work - everything falls into places so perfectly. In opera everything is ruled by music - the text, movement, moods, and naturally - directing. It’s impossible to create a movement that would contradict music”. The most important idea behind this production is to create a “simple, but passionate show”.
Carmen premieres on 20, 21 and 22 of November. The role of Carmen is prepared by Laima Jonutytė, Inesa Linaburgytė, Ieva Prudnikovaitė. Conductor - Robertas Šervenikas.
Audition for Opera Singers
On 18 September 2009, at 1 p.m. the LNOBT will be holding an audition for opera singers wishing to perform the roles of Cherubino and Barbarina in the upcoming production of W. A. Mozart‘s opera Le Nozze di Figaro.
The candidates must prepare:
For the role of Cherubino - arias “Voi che sapete...” and “Non so piu...”
For the role of Barbarina - aria “L’ho perduta... me meschina...”
Should you wish to take part in the audition, please register at the Rehearsal and Casting Department by calling (+370 2618909) or by e-mail planavimas@opera.lt until 17 September.
Drawing Contest “Let’s welcome the Tiny Lingonberry”
The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is announcing a drawing contest for children entitled “Let’s welcome the Tiny Lingonberry” - it is dedicated to the celebration of “The Tiny Lingonberry” opera premiere due on 20 March, 2010. Composer Jonas Tamulionis based his opera for children on mythological fairytale of the same name, written by Martynas Vainilaitis. We invite schoolchildren of all ages to take part in the competition! Please send your drawings to this address: A. Vienuolio g. 1, 01104 Vilnius, or simply bring them to the LNOBT’s Information office. The contest is open until 1 December. Please call +370 68803428 or e-mail edukacija@opera.lt for more information.
Summer of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
 The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre concluded its 89th Season with two performances of the legendary opera Pilenai, composed by V. Klova and traditionally performed at the Trakai Castle. The summer, unfortunately, cannot promise lots of free time for the artists: this week the opera company, chorus and orchestra travel to Estonian city Pärnu, where on 10 July a concert hall will welcome LNOBT’s production of Aida and on 11 July - a spectacular gala concert of Lithuanian opera soloists. Going to Estonia together with Sigute Stonyte, Inesa Linaburgyte, Dainius Stumbras, Vladimiras Prudnikovas and Vytautas Bakula, are also Sandra Janusaite, Jonas Valuckas, other soloists of the LNOBT, conductor Martynas Staskus and our guest, tenor Oleg Kulko.
After a short vacation, the LNOBT’s orchestra shall dive right back into rehearsals - at the end of July it will travel to the International Santander Music Festival. The 58th festival is dedicated to songs and stage works, among concerts there are also many planned opera premieres. Last year, after our orchestra’s performance in this festival, the managers of the festival decided to invite it to this year’s main event - the Spanish premiere of G. Donizetti’s opera La Favorita. And thus now the theatre corridors are echoing with melodies from this opera, conductor Roberto Rizzi Brignoli is actively rehearsing the score. Main parts of the opera in Santander’s production shall be sung by Krasteva, Bros, Frontali, Scandiuzzi, it is directed and presented visually by Hugo de Ana, director at the Santiago de Chile theatre. La Favorita will be shown for two evenings, and on 8 August the Festival is also inviting all opera lovers to the world premiere of Miguel Ortega’s opera The House of Bernard Alba, which will include performances by such stars as Raquel Pierotti, Montserrat Marti, Vicky Pena, Marina R. Cusi. Leading the LNOBT’s orchestra shall be the composer himself. Next time the opera will be playing on 10 August at the Perelada Music Festival. The third premiere prepared by LNOBT’s orchestra is a ballet written after the music of P. Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin; the production shall be presented by the Bavarian state ballet, lead by one of today’s most famous choreographers John Crank.
In September the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre shall be launching its 90th, anniversary season. We will be missing you during summer - hope our works will bring you wonderful moments of joy during the next season!
Great news to all fans of opera! LNOBT Introduces the First International Opera Festival
 LNOBT is inviting all theatregoers to visit the first International Vilnius Opera Festival. Throughout June the genre of opera will be reigning in the LNOBT, the Russian Drama Theatre of Lithuania and the Courtyard of the Trakai Castle. Visiting us will be Sankt Petersburg’s Mariinsky theatre, Kaunas State Musical Theatre, madrigal operas, while the LNOBT will present its most treasured productions. During this festival the genre of opera will be sparkling with all of its colours!
The first International Opera Festival will be presenting acknowledged classics of the genre and modern experimental works, most famous theatre troupes, creative team members and artists from Lithuania and abroad, unique works dedicated especially to the fe stival.
The Festival will start on 9 June with a tour of Mariinsky Theatre of Sankt Petersburg. The collective of this theatre, guided by the world-class conductor Valery Gergiev, will present R. Wagner’s opera Parsifal on 9 June and R. Scedrin’s Enchanted Wanderer on 10 June. On 12 June the Kaunas State Musical Theatre will be inviting to an opera by G. Kuprevicius Bona – the Queen. The LNOBT will offer all theatregoers a unique possibility to take a look at the best productions of this theatre, such as the staging of J. S. Bach’s Johannespassion (14 June), P. Eötvös‘ Love and Other Demons (18 June) and our brand new premiere of G. Verdi‘s La Traviata (21 June). On 25 June we will witness unusual and massively popular performance of C. Monteverdi‘s madrigal operas Combattimento diTancredi e Clorinda and Ballo delle ingrate.
27 and 28 June, at the end of the Festival we will offer you a very special premiere of A. Ponchielli’s opera I Lituani, which will be shown at the Courtyard of the Trakai Castle and directed by Jonas Jurasas.
Begin your summer together with opera!
Information: 262 07 27, (+370) 615 51000, (+370) 612 46614.
European Opera Days at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is joining Opera theatres around Europe to celebrate European Opera Days on 9-10 May. The celebration will last for two days, as usual. It will start on 9 May, Saturday, with backstage tours (10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.), which draw a lot of visitors‘ attention every year. Once again we will invite you to meet your beloved soloists – S.Stonyte, E.Seilius, I.Linaburgyte, A.Malikenas and creative team members of the new Traviata production in our Marble foyer, at 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Those who decide to watch Traviata that evening will be nicely surprised by a lottery and its sweet prizes.
For the third year in a row, Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre invites children for a visit as well. We are preparing a special event on 10 May, Sunday, for Little European Opera Day. On this day children will be offered special backstage tours (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.). A special programme as well as lottery will start at 12 p.m. in the Chamber Hall. Members of the opera studio for children The Game of Opera will start the concert. These events will be followed by an especially created programme after Lithuanian opera for children Buratinas and the introduction of the newly released DVD of opera Buratinas. Finally, opera characters will award the winners of a drawing contest I Play Opera to which the prizes are kindly given by publishing company Alma littera.
On both days our personnel and volunteers dressed in opera characters‘ costumes will kindly invite you to enjoy the celebration. There will be lots of things to see! A map, showing Opera theatres around Europe, children works submitted for the drawing contest I play opera, a special exhibition in the Red Foyer, a stand for our magazine Bravissimo and a video, created especiallu for the celebration of European Opera Days, where representatives from different theatres recount how the birthday of opera will be celebrated in their theatres. Until 11 May you may also visit an exhibition of magazine Bravissimo posters at the shopping centre Europa
Should you wish to participate in our backstage tours, please be so kind to book beforehand at the LNOBT’s Information desk.
In Anticipation of La Traviata: Video Designer Leigh Haas
 The visual side of the much-awaited premiere of G. Verdi's La Traviata shall be created by four exceptional artists; this time we invite you to get acquainted with video designer Leigh Haas.
Born and raised in Scotland, in 1993 Leigh left her native Glasgow for the shifting excitement of post-wall Berlin. Delving right into the city’s club scene, she translated her architectural training to temporary space design and club visuals for seminal nightspots like WMF or Frisör.
Now, as founder (1999) and creative director of Berlin-based visual design company flora&faunavisions, Leigh puts poetry in motion and explores those fleeting instants between flickering frames. Capturing moment and movement for an international mix of commercial, cultural and non-profit clients – from corporate events to fashion spectacles, from nightclub glitz to high art – she adds a new dimension to visual design and motion graphics. To spread the word and support new talents, she also teaches these skills in Berlin.
In the area of stage and visual design for the high arts flora&faunavisions has produced visuals for internationally acclaimed venues such as San Francisco Opera, English National Opera and Berliner Festspiele. They have worked closely together with Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng on three projects to create amazing light shows and fabulous projections.
For their latest lowdown on high art, flora&faunavisions produced immersive multi-screen projections for Chen Shi-Zheng’s ‘The Bonesetters Daughter’. The show won the popular vote, a standing ovation – and plenty of critical acclaim.
In 2007 flora&faunavisions created a video design for Chen Shi-Zheng’s three-hour production of ‘The Coronation of Poppea’, an opera by Claudio Monteverdi. It’s still reeling from the premiere at the English National Opera!
For the ‘Mercury Light World’ their task was to create a visual installation to be integrated into the stage set and 90 minutes of high-resolution video material. Additionally, flora&faunavisions were involved in the shaping of the piece, working closely with the director, as well as working with the lighting designer Veit Gries and with the production design team.
For more, please visit www.florafaunavisions.de
In Anticipation of La Traviata: Director Chen Shi-Zheng
 On 8 and 9 of June Lithuanian theatregoers will receive two very special gifts at once: first of all, the LNOBT will be presenting the undying and beloved masterpiece - G. Verdi's opera La Traviata. Secondly, this opera is being brought to life by a creative team consisting of world-class masters of theatre, with director Chen Shi-Zheng leading the way. Chen Shi-Zheng - director, choreographer, actor and singer - is currently considered to be one of the most famous personalities of the art world and is enchanting the audiences with his quality work that blends together differents cultures and striking beauty of fresh ideas.
Born and raised in China during the Cultural Revolution, Mr. Chen is now based in New York and works internationally as a stage and film director. As a child he was taken under the wing of traditional Hunan funeral singers, who were among some of the great masters of Chinese opera. He became a leading young opera actor, performing until his mid-20s in many productions throughout China. He simultaneously recorded albums of folksongs and contemporary pop music. He emigrated to the United States in 1987, and has since established a crossover career in which he explores his own artistic expression that transcends an East/West divide and erases the boundaries between music, theatre, dance and film.
Mr. Chen made his directorial debut in 1996 with The Bacchae for the China National Beijing Opera Company, which was presented at the Hong Kong International Arts Festival and the Athens Festival. In 1999, his landmark 19-hour production of The Peony Pavilion was hailed as one of the most important theatrical events of the 20th century. The work had its Western premiere as the centrepiece of the Lincoln Center Festival in New York and toured Europe and Asia. His recent “circus opera” Monkey: Journey to the West, an adaptation of a 16th-century Chinese novel, premiered last year at the Manchester Festival and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and has since been seen at the Spoleto Festival USA and at Covent Garden and the O2 arena in London. He directed The Bonesetter's Daughter for San Francisco Opera this past Fall. Other celebrated directing credits include a theatrical triptych inspired by classical Chinese literature: Orphan of Zhao, Snow in June, and Peach Blossom Fan; and Night Banquet, which was co-commissioned by the Festival d’Autumne in Paris, Berlin’s Hebbel Theater, and the Lincoln Center Festival.
He recently directed The Coronation of Poppea for English National Opera as part of a complete Monteverdi cycle, for which he also directed the Vespers of 1610 and Orfeo—the latter was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production. Other western operatic credits include Così fan tutte for the Aix-en Provence Festival and Théâtre des Champs Elysées; Dido and Aeneas for the Handel & Hayden Society and the Spoleto Festival USA; and The Flying Dutchman at the Spoleto Festival USA.
His first feature film, Dark Matter, was an official entry at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Award, and was released in cinemas across the U.S. in Spring 2008. Ongoing projects include commissioned works for Kronos Quartet, Jordi Savall, and the Rome Opera, where he will direct Madame Butterfly next season.
Mr. Chen was given the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2000 by the French Ministry of Culture.
LNOBT Mourns the Passing of Photographer Mikhail Rashkovsky
 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of theatre‘s photographer Mikhail Rashkovsky (25 May, 1959 - 19 March, 2009).
Mikhail Rashkovsky worked for the LNOBT since 1995, for a long time he was also collaborating with musical and drama theatres of Lithuania and Russia, was a member of European Association of Dance Photographers and Cinematographers and served as a photographer at the New Baltic Dance festivals. He participated in exhibitions in Athens, Berlin, Budapest, Warsaw, Rome, Paris, organized personal exhibitions in Vilnius, Brussels, Nottingham, Oslo, Moscow, Sankt Petersburg. M. Rashkovsky is the author of several ballet photography albums, laureate of Press Photo of Russia 2004 competition and Lithuania in Action: Press Photography. His works are constantly seen at LNOBT’s exhibitions, Lithuanian and foreign press and thanks to this photographer the theatre now has an archive of more than 5000 photographs.
The time has come, and theatre turned into my survival, a particular substitute for the world. Here I found people similar to myself - with weaknesses and flaws, unhappy about the system and salaries - just as myself, those who play Hamlet one day, and then become secondary characters in a comedy the next day. It soon became obvious that it is actually possible to live in this substitute world.
The material for art photography is Time. And here we don’t speak about exposure or the moment of pressing a button. The essence is an antagonism between totality and unity. Because there is an individual time ticking in every one of us, and then there is a cosmic time that flows by without taking notice of us. Working as a photographer I realized that photographer-artist (and not photographer-craftsman), needs to grow within his soul a certain unique sensation of time. For him, time flows in a different manner.
Every click of a camera is also a “small death” - it is time, this same destructive time, in which my work shall die. Good photographs are those that survive all cultural and political necessities of their time; I would entitle them “life after death in frames”.
(Excerpts from the last interview of Mikhail Rashkovsky “Life after Death in Frames”; “Literature and Art”, 13 March, 2009)
An Exhibtion Dedicated to Juozas Tallat-Kelpsa
We are celebrating the 120 anniversary of composer and conductor Juozas Tallat-Kelpsa, and exceptional artist who initiated many of the most important cultural events, one of them being the establishment of the national opera.
Its history started back in 1920 in Kaunas upon the initiative of music section of the Lithuanian Artists Association. After Kipras Petrauskas returned from Saint Petersburg an opera association was created and consisted of such members as J. Tallat-Kelpsa, Stasys Silingas, K. Petrauskas, J. Zilevicius). J. Tallat-Kelpsa conducted G. Verdi‘s La Traviata presented by Opera Acting Company on 31 December 1920; the production was directed by Konstantinas Glinskis with designs by Vladas Didziokas.
Later J. Tallat-Kelpsa was the chief conductor of opera and survived all of the most important changes that emerged in the operatic world: Opera Acting Company was turned into a state organization and entitled the State Opera in 1922, later he also witnessed the birth of Lithuanian Ballet company (he conducted the first performance of the company in 1925). In 1944 the theatre was renamed to Lithuanian SST State Opera and Baller theatre and in 1948 it was re-established in Vilnius.
The new exhibition presented in the theatre’s lobby and dedicated to Juozas Tallat-Kelpsa invited you to take a look at various exhibits from LNOBT’s archive and Lithuanian Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema. Among the most precious exhibits - a few manuscripts of the composer, also photographs, posters, opera booklets and a unique portrait painted by Lithuanian artist Adalbertas Staneika.
Winners of the “Operos Svyturiai“ Awards 2008
On New Year’s Eve the Lithuanian National Opera and Baller Theatre bestowed “Operos Svyturiai” Awards to the best opera and ballet artists. The awards were presented for the seventh year in a row by the theatre’s patron “Svyturys - Utenos beer”.
“While honouring our best soloists we want to show how highly we value these artists, who illuminate the cultural life in Lithuania. I believe these awards serve as a tool for setting the attention of the society on opera and ballet,” - said general manager of the “Svyturys - Utenos beer” company after the awards committee meeting.
‘“Operos Svyturiai” is a beautiful tradition of our theatre. The ever-growing number of nominees is a proof, that we have truly great soloists and productions of the coming year will definitely open up the doors for new names, which will be worth to receive this honourary award’, - said Gintautas Kevisas, general manager of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
All laureates received traditional statuettes on New Year’s Eve at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, during the interval of the premiere production of “L’elisir d’amore”. All laureates also received monetary prizes.
The winners of the “Operos Svyturiai” Awards 2008 are:
Opera Soloist of the Year: Vladimiras Prudnikovas for the roles of Boris Godunov (“Boris Godunov”) and Bishop Don Toribio (“Love and Other Demons”);
Ballet Soloist of the Year: Andrius Zuzzalkinas for the roles of Kashchey the Deathless (“The Firebird”), Nijinsky (“Diaghilev. Fantasies), Cassio (“Desdemona”) and The Idol (“La Bayadère”).
Opera Hope of the Year: Rafailas Karpis for the role of Misail (“Boris Godunov”), and roles performed during the theatre’s tours - Goro (“Madama Butterfly”) and the Jew (“Salome”).
Ballet Hope of the Year: Romas Ceizaris for the roles of Prince in “The Nutcracker” and Prince in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.
The LNOBT is giving thanks to “Svyturys - Utenos beer” and also sending warmest congratulations to all of the winners - wishing much luck, success and many wonderful roles in 2009!
The Premiere of L’elisir d’amore at the LNOBT
With New Year on the doorstep already, the LNOBT presented its newest premiere - a charming love story, Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
After a thundering furore of the L’elisir d’amore premiere in 1832, the triumph of this opera swept through entire Europe in a speed of light. The opera was staged in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon (1833), Vienna (1835) and London (1836). The popularity of this work did not seem to be diminishing - in 1901 Enrico Caruso made his debut at La Scala in Milan singing none other than Nemorino under the baton of Arturo Toscanini. Almost all tenors, representing Italian school of vocal art - such as Ferruccio Tagliavini, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Bergonzi, Alfredo Kraus, Placido Domingo, José Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti, Luigi Alva, Ramón Vargas and many others - have sung or are still singing this special part, crowned with the unforgettable romance Una furtiva lagrima (A Furtive Tear).
Lithuanian stage welcomed three most famous operas by Donizetti: Don Pasquale (in 1936 and 1977), Lucia di Lammermoor (presented in 1970, it stayed on the repertoire for almost 30 years!) and L‘elisir d‘amore - the latter premiered in 1966 and was conducted by Vytautas Viržonis, directed by V. Popov with designs by Regina Songailaitė. The role of Nemorino was brought to life unforgettably by Vladas Česas, Edmundas Kuodys and Virgilijus Noreika. In 1993 L‘elisir d‘amore was also staged at the Kaunas State Musical Theatre.
This time L‘elisir d‘amore was brought to life by experienced and widely aknowledged creative team: conductor Modestas Pitrenas, director Oskaras Korsunovas, set and video designer Gintaras Makarevicius, costume designer Agne Kuzmickaite. Some of their works created for the premiere are currently exhibited in the theatre‘s lobby.
3rd International Seminar of Opera Critics “Contemporary Opera“
The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre together with Bravissimo magazine present the 3rd International Seminar of Opera Critics Contemporary Opera.
For the first time in history the LNOBT welcomes the premiere of an opera written by foreign composer of contemporary music. On 7 and 8 November the LNOBT together with Glyndebourne Festival and Gaida/ISCM World Music Days 2008 will invite to the premiere of “Love and Other Demons” - the newest opera by Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös.
A little bit of fear is always present when it comes to contemporary opera – the modern piece will be misunderstood, no one will want to see it…And still, is it really so or is this fear just a myth that is inertly repeated over and over? What inspires such conviction – maybe, paradoxically, the contemporary authors themselves, withdrawn in their creative "ivory towers"? How does a composer solve communicational problems that arise between music and spectators, does it influence creativity? Maybe stage-music is undertaken only by a certain type of creators? On the other hand, maybe works of contemporary opera attract an audience different from, let's say, appreciators of the 19th century Italian opera? All of these and many more questions will be discussed by the participants of the seminar: opera critic from Great Britain John Allison (editor of the Opera magazine), composers Loreta Norvilaite, Raminta Serksnyte, Marius Baranauskas and Peter Eötvös himself.
Registration
Registration is available until 6th of November 5 p.m. Please inform us about your participation by sending an e-mail to zurnalas@opera.lt or by calling (+370 5) 2610493. The seminar will be held in Lithuanian and English with synchronous translation. Number of participants is limited.
More information:
Justa Adomonyte
Editor of the Bravissimo Magazine
Tel.: (+370 5) 2610493
E-mail: zurnalas@opera.lt
Laura Karnaviciute
Coordinator
Tel.: (+370 5) 2612646
E-mail: vertimai@opera.lt
Programme of the Seminar
8 November, Saturday, Scandic Hotel Neringa conference hall
10 a.m. - Registration of the participants
Point of View 1: The Critic
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
John Allison (Great Britain): Contemporary Opera: Critic’s Concept
11:30 a.m. - 12:00
Questions and mini discussion. Moderated by Zivile Ramoskaite
12.00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Coffee break
Point of View 2: The Author
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Loreta Narvilaite (Lithuania): Why I don’t write Operas?
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Raminta Serksnyte, Marius Baranauskas (Lithuania): Why I Wrote an Opera?
Moderated by Ruta Gostautiene
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Coffee break
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Peter Eötvös (Hungary): Why I Write Operas?
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
After the Premiere: Round Table Discussion
Moderated by Veronika Janatjeva
The LNOBT Welcomes Love and Other Demons
 On 7 November the LNOBT will welcoming its first premiere of the season - Peter Eötvös’ opera Love and Other Demons based on G.G. Márquez’s novel Of Love and Other Demons. The libretto was written by Kornél Hamvai. This opera first was first presented at the Glyndebourne Festival (Great Britain) on 10 August, 2008 and is a co-production between Glyndebourne Festival, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and Festival GAIDA / ISCM World Music Days 2008. It is sung in English with fragments of Yoruba, Latin and Spanish. At the LNOBT the opera is brought to life by music director and conductor Alejo Pérez (Argentina), conductor Modestas Pitrenas, director Silviu Purcarete (Rumunija), who’s ideas were transferred to the Lithuanian stage by Gediminas Šeduikis, designer - Helmut Stürmer (Germany), author of the video projections - Andu Dumitrescu (Romania), chorus master Česlovas Radžiūnas.
Composer, conductor and teacher: the Hungarian Peter Eötvös combines all three roles in one very high-profile career. His music features regularly in the programmes of orchestras, contemporary music ensembles and festivals worldwide; and as composer/conductor he has led projects focusing on his work in centres including Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, Lucerne, Göteborg. His operas, Le Balcon and Angels in America, follow the lead of his Three Sisters by generating an ever-increasing number of new productions; and several major music theatre commissions are due in the next few years by the Opéra National de Lyon, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the Bayerische Staatsoper. Mr. Eötvös is generally regarded as one of the leading interpreters of contemporary music. His teaching activities are of equal importance to him as his composition and performance career – especially his work at the Musikhochschule in Karlsruhe since 1992 and at the International Eötvös Institute and Foundation for young conductors and composers in Budapest, which he founded in 1991.
Love and Other Demons is a mesmerizing opera about forbidden love blossoming in 19th century Columbia full of tropical magic, displaying love as obsession and love as “the most horrible of all demons”.
“I was very enthusiastic about this story as it is full of fantasy but most of all love. For me this is fundamental – opera and love. This fantasy world created by G.G. Márquez allows me freedom as a composer to concentrate on the music rather than the action. This work is my first opera about love and my first opera quasi bel canto. It gives each singer the chance to show the beauty of the voice,” - says P. Eötvös.
The principle role of Sierva Maria will be performed by our guest from USA Marisol Montalvo. Other soloists include Lithuanian opera stars Vytautas Juozapaitis, Audrius Rubezius, Jovita Vaskeviciute, Kęstutis Alcauskis, Vladimiras Prudnikovas, Inesa Linaburgyte and Laima Jonutyte.
A Fit of Stage Fright in Childhood Lead to a Dazzling International Career
 If we were to compile a top ten list of today’s most prominent opera stars, the Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas’ name would definitely be somewhere at the top of the list. While unfolding the mystery of his singing the listener is submerged into an even bigger secret. Ramón Vargas’ enchanting voice - velvety and shimmering like gold - is floating in world’s most famous opera houses. The soloist is worshiped by millions of devoted fans around the world and is currently one of the most popular and sought-after tenors.
This is today. However, the beginning of soloist’s career was not quite that successful. Many years ago he was going to sing in a celebration of his school and all the teachers and parents of the students were gathered in the patio. Little boy Ramón Vargas who was often called Pedro Infante at the school (Pedro Infante was an extremely popular Mexican singer and movie star) was supposed to sing a solo episode. When the conductor signalled him to begin to sing alone he was paralyzed by fear, mouth wide open, unable to draw a single note out of his throat. "Sing, Vargas! Sing!" the Father Xavier González urged him, but nothing. The other boys continued singing his part together as well as they could, and the carol ended. The singers went out of the patio and little Ramón ran away to take refuge in a corner, crying bitterly. Passing, his companions tapped him on the shoulder without a word, as if they were expressing their condolences to the unfortunate colleague; everybody thought that his career as a soloist had ended there. But the choirmaster, a clever psychologist, took the boy aside: "Don't worry, Vargas, this happens to singers frequently; it was very cold in the patio and you were blown by an "air stroke" that completely closed your throat; that is why you stood mute like that. So, since we have got to sing again tomorrow, from now until the concert you must keep yourself warm and well away from any drafts, and everything will go fine, you’ll see." These words turned out to be fatal. Ramón trusted him and the next day sang very confidently. “I had beaten stage fright!” - still remembers the singer.
On 2 October 2008 Ramón Vargas will launch the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre’s 89th Season in a special gala concert.
21 July 2008
Dear patrons,
In summertime the LNOBT's box office is open from 12p.m. to 7p.m., Saturdays – 12p.m.-6p.m.
Our Information office is ready to serve you weekdays from 10a.m. to 7p.m. and from 10a.m. to 6:30p.m. on Saturdays.
Both offices are closed on Sundays.
Have a wonderful summer!
21 July 2008
Admission to an Opera Studio for Children “The Game of Opera”
This year the LNOBT is once again inviting all children aged 6 to 12 to attend an opera studio “The Game of Opera”. With the help of experienced teachers, opera soloists and conductors the children will get to know the lovely world of opera, learn solfeggio, art of solo and choral singing, scenic movement. When ready, the children will have a possibility to participate in opera productions. The opera studio lessons will be taking place on Saturdays and under necessity on Mondays. Cost of the courses for one month is 60 Litas.
Should you decide to attend the lessons please let us know by sending an e-mail to edukacija@opera.lt or by calling +370 61 6484, +370 615 10306.
Admission will take place on:
30 August (Saturday) at 11 a.m.
6 September (Saturday) at 10 a.m.
The lessons start on 6 September.
21 July 2008
LNOBT Announces its Repertoire for the 2008/09 Season
Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre announced its repertoire for the coming 2008/09 theatre season - take a look, choose your favourite performances.
The theatre is also delighted to offer you the 5+ Subscription Package
5+ is a subscription scheme which entitles you to 30% off full-price tickets when you book 5 or more performances on the Autumn 2008 – Spring 2009 season (the discount does not apply to premieres, weekend performances and events at the Chamber Hall).
5+ Weekends Subscription will include 5 or more selected Saturday and Sunday performances on the Autumn 2008 – Spring 2009 season, saving you 25% off full-price tickets (the discount does not apply to premieres and events at the Chamber Hall).
The subscription starts now and runs until October 5.
Everyone buying the Subscription Package will receive a free “Bravissimo” subscription for the whole season!
Save on your tickets - pay 30 % less!
* Choose first - you wil have priority for the best seats available!
* Save a seat - it is so convenient to have your seats for the whole season! You won't have to queue at the box office and worry about getting the tickets before each performance you want to see.
* Take your chance to win - those filling in a booking form and buying a subscription package enter a lottery and stand a chance of winning prizes founded by the theatre and its sponsors:
* 10 gift coupons by restaurant "Vilniaus basteja"
* 10 gift coupons by Jeruzale's bowling club
* 5 DVD recordings of LNOBT's "La juive"
* 5 DVD recordings of LNOBT's "Russian Hamlet"
* 5 DVD recordings of LNOBT's "Die lustige Witwe"
* 3 representative books about LNOBT
The lottery will take place on October 7, after the 5+ Subscription is over. The winners will be announced on our website www.opera.lt and on the notice board adjacent to the Box Office. We will also notify the winners in person. The prizes have to be collected within a month after the announcement of the results.
For information about the season programme, ticket prices and seating, call +370 5 262 0727, +370 615 51000, +370 612 46614 or visit www.opera.lt
Bookings can be made
at the Box Office of Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, A.Vienuolio Str. 1, Vilnius.
The Box Office is open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6:30pm and Sun 10am-3pm.
Online booking at www.opera.lt
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